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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2008 Honda ElementRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 13 safety recalls and 113 owner complaints for the 2008 Honda Element. Most complaints involve suspension (24) and air bags (24). The EPA rates it 20–22 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
20–22mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
13campaigns
Latest Oct 2019
Owner complaints
113
Top: suspension
Fuel cost / yr
$2,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

13 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

Free remedy

Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain Accelerator Pedal Assemblies part numbers 699-114 and 825-5029-1, sold as replacement parts for 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2004-2008 Acura TL and TSX, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2007-2011 Honda Element, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot and 2006-2014 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The rotating portion of the accelerator pedal assembly may bind. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 124, "Accelerator Control Systems."

Vehicle speed controlReported Oct 10, 2019NHTSA 19E068000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jun 27, 2019NHTSA 19V501000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jun 27, 2019NHTSA 19V499000
See all 13 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

113 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2007 – Sep 2026
  1. Suspension24
  2. Air bags24
  3. Service brakes, hydraulic23
  4. Structure14
  5. Service brakes7
  6. Visibility6
  7. Electrical system6
  8. Tires4
  9. Power train4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Element model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2003450
2004282
2005159
2006122
2007112
2008113
200931
201030
201111
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Suspension

24 reports
“The front bushing bracket on the left (driver's side) rear trailing arm may have an improper weld and could separate from the arm. I am noticing some rust in this area. I have rustproofed the vehicle to help prolong the life and to avoid a separated bracket which can release the lower portion of the wheel hub and damage the brake system, leading to a loss of vehicle control and an increased risk of a crash.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 29, 2026SuspensionODI 11767821

Air bags

24 reports1 crash
“Airbag warning light stays on. Dealer indicates that the problem is a weight sensor. Dealer stated that seat belt issues and airbag issues were warranted by Honda. Dealer indicated that the weight sensor issue, which is used to deploy the airbag is not warranted. If seatbelts and airbags are warranted, why would the weight sensors that are an integral part of the SRS not be warranted? Dealer has estimated the cost of repairs at $1,240.47. Part to complete the repair is not available at this time. Per the dealer, it has been ordered with shipping date TBD.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 13, 2022Air bagsODI 11479122

Service brakes, hydraulic

23 reports2 crashes
“SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE NEW IN JUNE 2008, I HAVE EXPERIENCED A SOFT BRAKE PEDAL AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 2000-5000 MILES. BLEEDING THE BRAKES SEEMS TO CORRECT THE SOFT BRAKE PEDAL. HOWEVER, AFTER DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY ANOTHER 2000-5000 MILES THE PEDAL IS AGAIN SOFT AND CONTINUES TO GET SOFTER. I HAVE BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER REPEATEDLY AND THEY HAVE REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND MODULATOR WHICH DID NOT CORRECT MY SOFT PEDAL. I WENT THROUGH SEVERAL TRIPS TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY TOLD ME "NO PROBLEM FOUND" AND BASICALLY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS MY IMAGINATION. FINALLY, HONDA CAME OUT WITH THE RECALL FOR EXACTLY THE ISSUE I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT. HONDA PERFORMED THE RECALL "SAFETY RECALL: BRAKE PEDAL MAY BE SOFT OR LOW" AND IT DID NOT CORRECT MY SOFT PEDAL. AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2000-5000 MILES THE PEDAL IS ONCE AGAIN SOFT AND CONTINUING TO GET SOFTER. I HAVE OPENED A CASE ([XXX]) WITH AMERICAN HONDA COMPLAINING ABOUT MY BRAKES IN AN EFFORT TO GET THEM TO CORRECT MY BRAKE ISSUE. THE DEALER HAS RECHECKED THE BRAKES AND STATES "NO PROBLEM FOUND" SINCE THERE IS NOT A BRAKE "FAILURE". I AM STILL EXPERIENCING A VERY SOFT BRAKE PEDAL…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 19, 2011Service brakes, hydraulicODI 10430765
All 2008 Element problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Element 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202522$2,850404
Element 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
192421$2,950423
Element 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182320$3,100444
Element 4WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
182320$3,100444
  • Element 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 25 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Element 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    19 city · 24 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Element 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    18 city · 23 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Element 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    18 city · 23 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Honda Element as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 2409
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2008 Element questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Honda Element have?

13 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2008 Honda Element problems?

Owners filed 113 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (24), air bags (24), service brakes, hydraulic (23). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 Honda Element get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Honda Element at 20–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026